Crawford is home to Fort Robinson State Park. The 22,000-acre recreational wonderland is Nebraska’s largest state park. “Fort Rob,” as locals call it, is one of many unique attractions in this area rich with frontier history. Lodging is available in historic military barracks and a 22-room lodge. Camping available. (308) 665-2900.

Trailside Museum of Natural History is located in the park’s 1901 theater. The featured exhibit is “Clash of the Mammoths.” Two bull mammoths locked tusks, perished and displayed here as they lay. (308) 665-2929.

The Fort Robinson History Center preserves the memory of the African American Buffalo Soldiers, Native Americans, Indian agents, foreign POWs and others associated with the military post. (308) 665-2919.

The 1,000 residents of Crawford do Independence Day right with the Old West Trail Rodeo. Fireworks aren’t the only things exploding here as bulls burst from the gates with hopeful cowboys onboard. Coronations of the Old West Trail Rodeo Queen and Princess, and a separate Kids Fun Day Rodeo, add fun to this official PRCA sanctioned rodeo event with roots to 1945. OldWestTrailRodeo.com.

Toadstool Geologic Park is north of Crawford. Hiking trails through these badlands reveals Nebraska’s most unusual otherwordly geology. (308) 432-4475.

Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center is nearby within the Oglala National Grassland. The mystery of why more than 600 ancient bison died here 10,000 years ago may never be solved, but 10,000-year-old spear points may help with the answer. A hiking trail connects Hudson-Meng with Toadstool Geologic Park. (308) 432-0300.

The nearly 100,000 acres of the Oglala National Grassland along with state land and Nebraska National Forest property combine here for the most publically-accessible land in any region of Nebraska. There are plenty of opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, photography, mountain biking and other activities. (308) 432-0300.

For more information about Crawford contact Northwest Nebraska Tourism at (308) 432-4401.

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